List of Obama accomplishments: 90!?!?

[Bruno T]

Re: List of Obama accomplishments: 90!?!?

I read somewhere recently that there was something like a 4% federal income tax in 1920, and most folks didn't make over the $4,000 threshold to pay even that.

Yet this was during a period of pretty significant economic growth, going back 5 years or so, when taxes were even lower. So obviously the size of the government was pretty tiny compared to today.

Are a large standing army, obligations world-wide, huge social programs, large bureaucracies, govn't watchdogging over everything, etc, etc really necessary for quality "modern" life?

What would be the impact on prosperity down at the bottom of the pyramid if the federal govn't size was say, 1/3 of what it is today? Would all these proposed "accomplishments" not happen in ways other than government?

Add up what you get directly/indirectly in govn't services vs what you pay in taxes. Seems like it's a pretty inefficient vehicle for "change".

[don]

Re: List of Obama accomplishments: 90!?!?

"Their error, in fact, is common to powerful states, regardless of their constitutions, when they are unexpectedly thwarted by an opponent they anticipated would be weak and easily defeated. Such states are likely to view retreat as a blow to their prestige, and while unwelcome in itself, it is also an option that puts into question their strength and determination and with it their security. Support for ventures such as the Sicilian campaign generally remains strong until the prospect of victory disappears."

Donald Kagan, writing on the disastrous decision of Athens to invade Sicily in their war with Sparta. (The Peloponnesian War, p.296)

[cjppjc]

Re: List of Obama accomplishments: 90!?!?

I read somewhere recently that there was something like a 4% federal income tax in 1920, and most folks didn't make over the $4,000 threshold to pay even that.

Yet this was during a period of pretty significant economic growth, going back 5 years or so, when taxes were even lower. So obviously the size of the government was pretty tiny compared to today.

Are a large standing army, obligations world-wide, huge social programs, large bureaucracies, govn't watchdogging over everything, etc, etc really necessary for quality "modern" life?

What would be the impact on prosperity down at the bottom of the pyramid if the federal govn't size was say, 1/3 of what it is today? Would all these proposed "accomplishments" not happen in ways other than government?

Add up what you get directly/indirectly in govn't services vs what you pay in taxes. Seems like it's a pretty inefficient vehicle for "change".

Good luck with that. Any politician (Ron Paul) who talks like you do is marginalized. I see Alan Grayson is sending out pocket constitutions to his district. Wonder where he got that idea? How long before his sanity is questioned in the media?

[MulaMan]

Re: List of Obama accomplishments: 90!?!?

Could you imagine if McCain / Palin had been elected?

On my God what a nightmare that would have been.

Iran would have been invaded by now, another 100,000 people mudered by the GOP facists, but there would be lots of jobs in America building tanks and bombs, the deficit would be over 100% of GDP by now, ...

[doom&gloom]

Re: List of Obama accomplishments: 90!?!?

Could you imagine if McCain / Palin had been elected?

On my God what a nightmare that would have been.

Iran would have been invaded by now, another 100,000 people mudered by the GOP facists, but there would be lots of jobs in America building tanks and bombs, the deficit would be over 100% of GDP by now, ...

and it would be raining cats and dogs, and people would be spontaneously combusting and gold would be turning to lead
before your eyes and the constitution would be shredded and
the internet would be sut down and and and... :rolleyes:

wake up, NONE of them are ANY prize, including the current denizen
of the WH.

[raja]

Re: List of Obama accomplishments: 90!?!?

I find myself in agreement with you far more often than not, so will you offer a way to oust the RepubliCrats?

They have a stranglehold on the moneymachine that funds them from congressional district right on up to D.C.; they each have a TV cable or network (FOX and NBC), and their owners (FIRE) will gladly let the entire economy and society crash into rubble before they will let go of Uncle Sam's teat.

Here's how:

1. Boycott the big banks; use small local banks. Show them who's in charge by not giving them your business. Remember, the customer is ALWAYS right

2. Write and call you Congresspeople. Express your displeasure at how poor they are protecting the American People from the rapacious Financial Elite. Threaten to . . . .

3. Vote out all incumbents. Show the politicians that you're in charge, not the Vampire Squid's of the world.

3. Educate your friends and neighbors, and they will do the same.

The average person may be unmotivated and uninformed, but as the economic crisis continues to bite, and more and more lose jobs and homes, they will listen, learn and they will act!

cjppjc: I see Alan Grayson is sending out pocket constitutions to his district. Wonder where he got that idea? How long before his sanity is questioned in the media?

I think it's a great idea.

[BlackVoid]

Re: List of Obama accomplishments: 90!?!?

Some people here believe that human beings come only in 2 types: liberal or democrat.

Some people here believe that the 2 parties of the US political system are actually different.

Wrong on both accounts. Yes, the 2 parties differ on the surface on matters that are not really important. But, both parties are actually governed by Wall Street. I thought this should be obvious by now.

The policies that REALLY matter are left intact. The wars are continuing, the bailouts to Wall street continuing. Most of the rest is just for SHOW. Entertainment.

[BlackVoid]

Re: List of Obama accomplishments: 90!?!?

Could you imagine if McCain / Palin had been elected?

On my God what a nightmare that would have been.

Iran would have been invaded by now, another 100,000 people mudered by the GOP facists, but there would be lots of jobs in America building tanks and bombs, the deficit would be over 100% of GDP by now, ...

The real decision makers decided that invading Iran is not the right policy. At least for now. That is why they engineered that Obama should be elected. It is all set up. They decide who gets elected.

*******

Voting out all incumbents - like that would make a difference, LOL. These guys buy politicians by the truckload. Sure, a few dissenters are allowed to pass, but otherwise only those go up for election who are part of the system. Serious change can never come from within the system. Until a 3rd party emerges or there is a coup/revolution, there will be NO CHANGE.

[Starving Steve]

Re: List of Obama accomplishments: 90!?!?

There can not be any change in America under the current Constitution. The founders of America engineered permanent grid-lock into the system of federal govn't, and permanent grid-lock is re-enforced by corruption. (Politicians fill their pockets.)

As for a third party, don't even think of electing the Green Party. They are even worse than the Republicans.:eek:

As for electing McCain-Palin, the schools would continue with their current back-to-basics garbage curriculum. So public education would continue to be a bad joke. (The kids would continue to be trained to be robots.)

Kicking Arminishod and his bunch of Islamo-fascists out of Iran could only be a good thing, so McCain-Pain might help accomplish that. A McCain-Palin ticket might also achieve a meaningful energy policy: oil drilling, atomic energy, hydro-electric dam construction, etc.

But the down-side of a McCain-Palin ticket would be near-zero health reform. America would continue-on with its for-profit healthcare system run by private health insurance companies.

Another down-side of a McCain-Palin ticket would be endless deficits because Republicans never saw a war they didn't like. And Republicans would not raise taxes, so that means deficits forever--- until the dollar collapses.:rolleyes:

[raja]

Re: List of Obama accomplishments: 90!?!?

Voting out all incumbents - like that would make a difference, LOL. These guys buy politicians by the truckload. Sure, a few dissenters are allowed to pass, but otherwise only those go up for election who are part of the system. Serious change can never come from within the system. Until a 3rd party emerges or there is a coup/revolution, there will be NO CHANGE.

If all incumbents were voted out of office, that would make a huge difference.

It would create the realization in the newly elected politicians that the People are now educated enough to not take it anymore, and if those politicians desire to get elected for a second term, they better act in the interest of the People. Remember, the number one goal of a politician is to stay in power . . . .

I have made copies of Chris Martenson's Crash Course, and I'm passing them out to friends and acquaintances. The reaction is amazing . . . everyone is making copies and giving them to their friends. Some of them have told me they liked the video so much and found it so valuable that they have watched it twice. Come election time, I suspect they will vote out the incumbents.

[cjppjc]

Re: List of Obama accomplishments: 90!?!?

If all incumbents were voted out of office, that would make a huge difference.

It would create the realization in the newly elected politicians that the People are now educated enough to not take it anymore, and if those politicians desire to get elected for a second term, they better act in the interest of the People. Remember, the number one goal of a politician is to stay in power . . . .

I have made copies of Chris Martenson's Crash Course, and I'm passing them out to friends and acquaintances. The reaction is amazing . . . everyone is making copies and giving them to their friends. Some of them have told me they liked the video so much and found it so valuable that they have watched it twice. Come election time, I suspect they will vote out the incumbents.

Raja, your determination and focus is inspirational. Keep up the great work. Don't allow naysayers to discourage you. I have served notice on my elected officials. One I happen to like. I told his staff it wasn't personal just long overdue that all incumbents should be voted out.

[santafe2]

Re: List of Obama accomplishments: 90!?!?

I think everyone knows my opinion, but rather than rely on that perhaps you in the community can comment on this list of accomplishments:

Suggested format:

1) Is the accomplishment real (as opposed to proposed)

2) Is the accomplishment unique to Obama?

3) Is the accomplishment the fulfillment of a promise Obama made during his Presidential campaign?

4) Did the accomplishment achieve a benefit to the American people?

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/1...ails-to-Report

If there will be any movement forward, it will be to move humanity to the forefront and corporate constructs to the back. It's not clear that Obama can do this but transitional leaders are never judged by the spreadsheet reports offered in this thread. They are judged by the future they're able to create. We'll just have to wait.

[reallife]

Re: List of Obama accomplishments: 90!?!?

I was doing my best to ignore this silly post but it has seen enough activity that I finally had to offer my 2 cents (worth as much as anyone else's two cents).

First, I must say that to expect a substantive impact of a first year President at this early date smacks of partisanship and I would hope that iTulipers were above mere partisanship and at the level of pragmatism, at the very least. Probably too much to expect, though, from my readings over the last year.

Second, I would like to point out that the policies of both Republicans and Democrats are no more than opposite side of the same coin; and, I would like to add, it is the WRONG coin altogether. Most of you iTulipers just haven't figured out that the old paradigm no longer applies. Our culture is in permanent decline and no amount of wishful thinking or blaming the 'otherside' will make any difference whatsoever. There will be no return to 'growth' or the culture of exuberance. We have gone over the cliff and are in freefall. There is no going back. Even if we could return to 1960 levels of petroleum extraction, it would only be a temporary reprieve. The party is OVER! So, get over it. Nothing Obama does will make any difference. He hasn't made the shift to new reality either......So, it is pointless to place hope (or blame for that matter) on Obama. Anyone who wants to prosper beyond the next few years had better get real serious about adopting an ecological worldview. Best of luck!

[MarkL]

Re: List of Obama accomplishments: 90!?!?

and it would be raining cats and dogs, and people would be spontaneously combusting and gold would be turning to lead before your eyes and the constitution would be shredded and the internet would be shut down and and and...

Well... the constitution would be shredded.

[doom&gloom]

Re: List of Obama accomplishments: 90!?!?

Well... the constitution would be shredded.

you must not be paying close attention to the present administration's actions, huh?